Toshio Matsuura | Ego-Wrappin', the Duo Captivating Audiences with Original Songs and Performances
Toshio Matsuura | From TOKYO MOON, April 21 Broadcast
EGO-WRAPPIN': A Duo Captivating Audiences with Original Music and Performances
DJ Toshio Matsuura's "TOKYO MOON" is a music program for adults. It airs every Sunday night at 11:30 PM on InterFM 76.1MHz. We introduce "fresh" music selected from around the world and topics that stimulate adult intellectual curiosity. Here, we look back at the content that has just aired. This is an interactive series where you can enjoy "TOKYO MOON" with your eyes and ears, delving deeper into artists, introducing related songs, and even allowing you to purchase them. This week, we focus on EGO-WRAPPIN', a duo that continues to captivate people with their unique sense.
Text by MATSUURA Toshio
New Release After Two and a Half Years!
EGO-WRAPPIN' recently released their eighth full album, their first in two and a half years. Since their formation in 1996, they have blended genres such as jazz, rock, ska, blues, and even Showa-era enka, creating a unique sound with the exceptional talent of vocalist Yoshie Nakano and guitarist Masaki Mori. At their live shows, the duo captivates audiences with their distinctive costumes and powerful performances that stir emotions.
I first encountered their music around 1999, when they released the mini-albums "His Choice Of Shoes Is Ill!" and "Swing For Joy." The latter's "A Love Song" became famous as the closing theme at a nightclub just before dawn. Shortly after, their popularity exploded with "Shikisai no Blues." They proudly embrace their individuality, which is rare in Japan, and their aura suggests a voracious daily absorption of diverse music, art, and literature.
I still vividly remember encountering them in the autumn of 2002 at a concert venue for Henri Salvador, the national hero of French chanson, during his visit to Japan. I never imagined they were such devoted fans. It was a moment of deep respect.
The song introduced this time, "Mekon no Tsuki," features lyrics by contemporary artist Shinro Ohtake, who also handled the artwork for their 2006 album "On The Rocks!". The carefully crafted lyrics and EGO-WRAPPIN's sound blend perfectly, creating an emotional world.
"Mekon no Tsuki"
Lyrics: Shinro Ohtake
Music: EGO WRAPPIN'
Lukewarm offshore sandy beach, cinema of the moonlit sea and salty breeze
Naked woman in backlight, bioluminescence in the waves, drifting and swirling
Turning over reveals a vertical mountain shadow, encroaching forbidden rock folds
The gravity of the female root, suspended tropical gravity
Melting cosmos and the speed of fantasy, lights on the opposite shore, the echo of shell solitude
Ah, again into the void, a sudden blaze of passion
The rhythm of wet, stained fingertips, island-colored soft skin, cascading kaleidoscopic stardust
Bebop bop shoo-bee-doo-bee-doo-bop
Dance, dance, into the atomic vortex
Sway, sway, embraced by the primal
Rirurura rararoriru
Chaos of coconut palms, frolicking with centaurs by the shore
Naked man in backlight, sand on the back, gritty nocturne and secret rendezvous
Morandi gray rock face, a sweet sigh of the wind-blown night woman
The slumber of the female root, a bed of succulent leaves
Cactus flowers licking oblivion, wickedly sweet nectar of ecstatic colors falls
Ah, again into the void, a sudden blaze of passion
The rhythm of wet, stained fingertips, island-colored soft skin, cascading kaleidoscopic stardust
Bebop bop shoo-bee-doo-bee-doo-bop
The moonlit shadow of the female root, where do the dreams of magma lie?
The sound of impermanence rushing by, a galactic blue jungle over a sorrowful shoulder
Ah, again into the void, a sudden blaze of passion
The rhythm of wet, stained fingertips, island-colored soft skin, cascading kaleidoscopic stardust
Bebop bop shoo-bee-doo-bee-doo-bop
Dance, dance, into the atomic vortex
Sway, sway, embraced by the primal
Rirurura rararoriru
The wayang of the swaying island shadow in the night darkness, a single meteor in the fleeting void
Naked island in backlight, indigo silence, a suffocating pier
Luna's leaf shade, tonight's night breeze carries a lingering scent of starlight
Meanwhile, "100,000 Years to You," which boldly incorporates Afro-beat, presents lyrics alluding to the difficult-to-dispose-of radioactive waste following the earthquake two years ago, prompting listeners to consider the issue.
In their latest album, "steal a person's heart," they retain their signature solid sound while also revealing a softer side, matured with time. We fans can enjoy EGO-WRAPPIN's ongoing evolution.
REVIEW | TRACK LIST
Click on the songs marked with a ★ to listen and purchase. Please install the "iTunes" software beforehand to enjoy.
Ego Wrappin'
"steal a person's heart"
01. Jean-Claude T. / A Tribute To Donald Byrd (Philadelphia International)
02.Nannie Porres & Claes-Goran Fagerstedt Trio | It Ain't Necessarily So★
03.Ego Wrappin' | 女根の月 (Mekon No Tsuki)★
04.Ego Wrappin' | 10万年後の君へ (10 Mannego No Kimi E)★
05.Angelique Kidjo | Cold Sweat★
06.The Rift Valley Brothers | Mu Africa★
07.Mulatu Astatke | Yegelle Tezeta★
Inc "No World"
08.Don Blackman | Holding You, Loving You★
09.Tyler The Creator | Treehome95★
10.King | In the Meantime★
11.Inc | The Place★
12.Bonobo | Heaven For The Sinner★
13. Gold Panda | Trust (Yoshimoto) In Sequence
14.Rhye | Hunger★
15.Boom Clap Bachelors | 5øren★
Jean-Claude T.
"The Bicentennial Poet"
V.A. "Movements 5"
Angelique Kidjo "Oyo"
V.A.
"Kenya Special/ Selected East African Recordings From The 1970s & 80s"
Mulatu Astatke
"Ethiopiques 4/ Ethio Jazz & Musique Instrumentale 1969-1974"
Don Blackman "Don Blackman"
Tyler The Creator "Wolf"
King "In The Meantime"
Bonobo
"The North Borders"
Gold Panda "In Sequence"
Rhye "Woman"
Boom Clap Bachelors "EP #1"
This Week's "TOKYO MOON on iTunes"
You can purchase selected songs from those introduced so far here. Experience the joy of instantly obtaining songs that catch your ear. This time, we introduce two works by EGO-WRAPPIN' that have been featured on the show. One is a cover collection from the TV anime "Lupin the Third." The other is a track from their previous album, "Naimononedari no Dead Heat."
Please install the "iTunes" software beforehand to enjoy.
Ego Wrappin' And Gossip of Jaxx | Love Theme March 7, 2010 Broadcast
Ego Wrappin' | love scene October 24, 2010 Broadcast
Toshio Matsuura "TOKYO MOON"
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